Concept of Imam a Different Perspective
Allow me to add a few introductory lines before I switch to my topic for today, It is a topic that can never be discussed in this single post, but this post can add a different perspective of looking at the term Imam in Muslim Societies.
Imam (/ɪˈmɑːm/; Arabic: إمام imām; plural: أئمة aʼimmah) is an Islamic leadership position. (Wikipedia)
Imam, Arabic imām (“leader,” “model”), in a general sense, one who leads Muslim worshippers in prayer. In a global sense, imam is used to referring to the head of the Muslim community. The title is found in the Quran several times to refer to leaders and to Abraham. (Britannica)
Glimpses from Quran Explaining Imam
The following ayat of the Holy Qur’an defines the term Imam in such a way, “And (remember) when the Lord of Ibrahim tried him with (certain) Commands, which he fulfilled. He (Allah) said (to him), “Verily, I am going to make you an Imam”. [Ibrahim) said, “And of my offspring (to make Imams?” (Allah) said, “My Covenant (of Imamat) includes not the Zalimun (wrongdoers)” (Sura Bakara verse 124)
“And We made them Imams, guiding by Our Command, and We revealed to them the doing of good deeds, performing Salat and the giving of Zakat and of Us they were worshippers.” (Ayah al-Anbiya 21:73)
“In spoken Arabic, Imam also means one who leads, just like every person who leads the congregational prayer is called an Imam.
Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 17 Surah Israa verse 71:One day We shall call together all human beings with their (respective) Imams: those who are given their record in their right hand will read it (with pleasure), and they will not be dealt with unjustly in the least.”
A General Perspective About Imam
It is discussed in many forums, on media platforms, and on social websites and even in a few books, some were written by Muslims and the few by non- Muslims, that imam’s basic responsibilities and duties are to conduct 5 times prayers in the mosque, to lead the Imamat of Juma prayer and sermons(khutbas) delivered on the very day of Juma, and then his duties extend beyond mosque and he also performs the role of Imamat on Eid days and in the gatherings of local communities to deliver Islamic lectures known as Daroos e Quran and in the month of Ramadan, he conducts Prayer of Taraweeh (nightly prayers during Ramadan).
His duties in the general perspective are mentioned on different platforms, for the reference one may visit different sources easily available on the internet to know more about it. But the purpose of this post was to add a little bit more to his entire duties and to introduce him in a different way that was not presented, unfortunately.
So above added references would definitely give an idea of what the basic meaning of imam is. Being the person behind this post I would like to add my choice for the meaning and concept of the word imam is “the key person in Muslim society” “the one who has been allotted lots of responsibilities” And also the one who is more than what is portrayed otherwise “the one who manages mosques and directs people in the times of matrimonial ceremonies” and “in the funerals at times of funeral prayers.”
No, it is definitely not, the purpose of this post is to highlight the aspect that has been ignored otherwise.
When we say in the life of Prophet Muhammad SAW, we Muslim should seek the ideal, as mentioned in Quran in Sura 33 Al Ahzab(the clans) in verse number 73, it is mentioned that,
لَّقَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ فِي رَسُولِ اللَّهِ أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ لِّمَن كَانَ يَرْجُو اللَّهَ وَالْيَوْمَ الْآخِرَ وَذَكَرَ اللَّهَ كَثِيرًا
“Verily in the messenger of Allah ye have a good example for him who looketh unto Allah and the Last Day, and remembereth Allah much.” (Quran, 33:73)
So minutely looking deep into the life of Muhammad SAW, He (PBUH) was the epitome of perfection for each department of his life.
In his exemplary time, He (SAW) was Sadiq and Ameen, a wonderful young man, a pious son of his parents, a wise preacher, a unique orator, reformer, protector of slaves, emancipator of women, judge, Saint and also Imam, and imam ul Ambia. This was the reason why even non-muslims placed him at the top of the most inspirational people of the world, the famous book “100” written by Michael H. Hart, he wrote for Muhammad SAW,
“My choice of Muhammad to lead the list of the world’s most influential persons may surprise some readers and may be questioned by others, but he was the only man in history who was supremely successful on both the religious and secular level.” [The 100: A Ranking Of The Most Influential Persons In History, New York, 1978, p. 33]
It is obligatory for every Muslim to follow the prophet’s footsteps in life, so is the case with the titled imam.
According to the famous Muslim Philosopher Allama Iqbal, the concept of Imamat and the concept of Imam is somewhat different and before closing my post I would like to add few of his lines to help our readers to better understand the true concept of an Imam,
Tu Ne Puchi Hai Imamat Ki Haqeeqat Mujh Se
Haq Tujhe Meri Tarah Sahib-e-Asrar Kare
What Guidance signifies you wish to know,
Insight, like me, may God on you bestow!
Hai Wohi Tere Zamane Ka Imam-e-Barhaq
Jo Tujhe Hazir-o-Mojood Se Bezar Kare
He is a true guide and teacher of your age,
Who can with present fill your mind with rage.
With the help of few things mentioned in the post I tried to add a few if not many things, to broaden the meaning of the term imam, I hope it will help in broadening the concept of Imam in a different way.
